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Background: The population of older adults in Brazil shall stand for 29% of the general population in 2050. Chronic Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases (CNCDs) and the presence of neurocognitive diseases are the most prevalent in this group. Data related to CNCDs and maintenance of cognitive health among older adults are thus essential. Objective: Investigate the relations between CNCDs and cognitive performance of older adults in the pandemic framework. Methods: This is a quantitative and exploratory research. The following tools were employed: the Brazilian telephone version of the Mini Mental State Examination (Braztel-MMSE) and an open-ended questionnaire with 9 questions concerning CNCDs. Results: 428 older adults aged 67.54±5.65 and with education levels of 14.72±3.54 years were evaluated. High Blood Pressure (41%), Arthritis/Rheumatism (27%), Diabetes Mellitus (17%), Depression (13%) and Osteoporosis (13%) were the most often reported CNCDs. The Braztel-MMSE score was 20.24±1.49 and there was no difference among CNCDs except for the group with osteoporosis which showed inferior performance (p=0.012). The multiple regression test with the Braztel-MMSE dependent variable showed Osteoporosis (p=0.032) and Diabetes Mellitus (0.081) variables as predictors. Conclusion: Results suggest that there is no association between CNCDs and cognitive performance due to the high education level of those surveyed, except for the osteoporosis variable. Such findings document the importance of CNCD prevention and control and of the education level as a factor of cognitive reserve development.

Background: COVID-19 has impacted the daily life of older adults, originating symptoms of depression which might influence cognitive performance. There is a need thus for papers which document such relations. Objective: Investigate the presence of depression symptoms in older adults and their relations to cognitive performance in the pandemic framework. Methods: Cross-sectional study in which the Brazilian telephone version of the Mini Mental State Examination (Braztel-MMSE) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS15) were employed, as well as a question which examined the perception of changes in mood and anxiety due to the pandemic. Results: The analyzed sample was comprised of 428 older adults with an average age of 67.54±5.65 years and average education level of 14.72±3.54 years. The average score of Braztel-MMSE was 20.24±1.49 and that of GDS15 was 3.39±4.00. The Spearman correlation coefficient was a significant rho= -0.10 (p=0.034). 71% of those surveyed noticed mood and/ or anxiety changes and only those showed a significant correlation between Braztel-MMSE and GDS15 of rho= -0.17 (p=0.003). Conclusion: Results show an association between depression symptoms and cognitive performance. Such an association has been more evident when analyzing changes in mood and/ or anxiety during the pandemic. Such findings contribute to the planning of services and public policies to older adults in the current framework.

Background: COVID-19 has generated impacts mainly on the psychological health of older adults´ population. Depression symptoms and high anxiety levels may negatively influence sleep quality and thus the cognitive performance of those who suffer from them. There needs to be studies which document such relations during the pandemic. Objective: Investigate the influence of sleep on cognition, depression symptoms, and anxiety. Methods: Cross-sectional study applying the following scales: Brazilian telephone version of the Mini Mental State Examination (Braztel-MMSE), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI). An additional questionnaire with 6 subjective questions concerning the presence or absence of sleep issues was also employed. Results: 428 older adults aged between 60 and 90 and with an average of 67.54 ± 5.65 years were evaluated. When Sleep Scores and other variables of scales were correlated the following results were obtained: Sleep Score and Braztel-MMSE (rho=-0.08 e p=0.108); Sleep Score and GDS15 (rho=0.46 e p <0,001); and Sleep Score and GAI (rho=0.41 e p<0.001). Conclusion: Results emphasize that sleep has not shown relation to cognitive performance, mainly in this sample with individuals of high education levels. However, sleep has been strongly associated with variables concerning depression symptoms and anxiety levels, showing its importance for the psychological levels of individuals in the current pandemic framework.